Solomon: 10 things we learned from Texans

1. With the 24-10 win over Tennessee, the Texans are back in the playoffs and will almost certainly host a playoff game at Reliant for the second consecutive year.

2. The AFC South almost certainly belongs to the Texans. With four games to play, Houston has a three game lead over the Colts.

3. Nashville might finally be getting what it deserves for being a willing participant in the theft of Houston Oilers’ history. Sweep, Texans. By a cumulative score of 62-24.

4. Whitney Mercilus can flat-out play. The rookie took advantage of his first start to post two sacks and a fumble recovery. Mercilus, who led the country in sacks at Illinois last year, has more sacks (five) than Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed have combined (4 1/2), though he has played extensively in only two games.

5. J.J. Watt isn’t about to slack off. He had a sack and two batted balls. He isn’t on a hot streak, this is just what the guy does week after week after week. Five of his batted balls have been intercepted. With 15 1/2 sacks and 15 passes defended, Watt is on his way to being the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Period.

6. Injuries hurt, obviously, but they haven’t kept the Texans from holding themselves to high standards. The defense had six sacks, forced six turnovers and allowed only 14 points. With cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) and Alan Ball (foot) out with injuries, and Brice McCain (foot) going down in the first half, the Texans needed Brandon Harris and Roc Carmichael (the “Young Guns,” as Danieal Manning always refers to them) to step up their play. They did. Each had penalties, but for guys who had not played much at all, they were solid. For those of you complaining about them being beat a few times, um, the guys haven’t been on the field for a reason. It is unrealistic to expect them to be much better than they were.

7. Donnie Jones is a weapon when the Texans put near the 50-yard line. He had a nice day of punting, pinning the Titans deep in their territory five times with several unreturnable kicks. He also had a 60-yard kick in the second half.

8. Keyshawn Martin has developed into a return weapon. He had another nice runback, though, once again, he let the punter bring him down after a sweet 42-yard return.

9. Shayne Graham is money. When the pressure is off, that is. The Texans’ kicker booted a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter that probably would have been good from 60 yards.

10. The Texans are still making more mistakes than they would like at this point of the season. Even with the slew of injuries, special teams penalties are inexcusable, and could be costly going forward. They also made enough mistakes to keep the margin of victory at only 14 points, so they’ll have a week of hearing how they aren’t good enough to handle the New England Patriots, especially in Foxboro. Hey Texans fans, that’s a good thing. Nothing gets these Texans fired up more to play than perceived disrespect. They’ll get a host of that this week, with the league’s best coach and quarterback on the schedule.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster blows a kiss to the hostile crowd after scoring a touchdown.

Texans running back Arian Foster blows a kiss to the hostile crowd after scoring a touchdown.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Quintin Demps puts a hard hit on Titans receiver Nate Washington, knocking a pass away to be intercepted by Darryl Sharpton in the fourth quarter.

Quintin Demps puts a hard hit on Titans receiver Nate Washington, knocking a pass away to be intercepted by Darryl Sharpton in the fourth quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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While attempting to return an interception for a touchdown, Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins is upended by Titans quarterback Jake Locker.

While attempting to return an interception for a touchdown, Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins is upended by Titans quarterback Jake Locker.